Good news so far for little Katelyn

Granger tot in remission after being diagnosed with leukemia five months ago.

Granger tot in remission after being diagnosed with leukemia five months ago.

January 15, 2008|KIM KILBRIDE Tribune Staff Writer

Little Katelyn Calderone has a sweet tooth. Twinkies, angel food cake and pancakes are a few of her favorite foods. Her mom, Amy, and dad, Joe, are elated that the 1-year-old is able to eat at all. When she was just 7 months old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thanks to a new treatment protocol that had just been developed at the time, she was given a 55 percent chance of survival. After four months at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Katelyn came home just before Halloween. Her current treatment plan calls for weekly chemotherapy that she receives locally. She recently spiked a fever from a strep infection and had to be hospitalized. Since her body has virtually no infection-fighting cells, her mom said, it's very dangerous for her to get sick with viruses and bacterial infections that other kids could buck without issue. On Sunday, she was feeling better and was released from an area hospital. Katelyn, who is beloved by the nurses at Riley, will return to the children's hospital in March for a five-day regimen of chemo. By the beginning of summer, the chemotherapy will be done. Looking back, Amy and Joe said they couldn't imagine having made it to this point. Though there still are challenges, Katelyn is generally healthy. She's a fighter, Amy says. "She's patient, yet she's stubborn. If she wants something, she lets you know." While she's officially in remission, Katelyn's physicians, her mom said, still are guarded about her condition. "They told us if it's going to come back (the leukemia), it will be soon," she said. So far, there's no indication of that. "But, no one's told us she'll be OK," Amy added. Joe, who is on part-time leave from his job to take care of Katelyn, said "It's easier now, but it's still one day at a time." Both of Katelyn's parents said her illness, despite being incredibly difficult, has changed them for the better. "Since this started," Joe said, "I have a better relationship with God. ... We've received so many prayers." Amy said she's learned a lot about generosity. "People have just amazed us with their kind words," she said. On a recent day, she opened the mail to find a supportive note from a local attorney. His staff decided to forgo Christmas gifts this year, he wrote, so he could make a donation to the family. Amy said she's also learned how to focus on what's truly important in life. She makes a point of savoring the minutes -- even the most harried ones -- with Katelyn and her older brother, Jacob. Joe agreed. "I'm not promised tomorrow or the next day," he said. "I'll enjoy every moment with Katelyn, whether it's a hundred years or a hundred days."Staff writer Kim Kilbride: kkilbride@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6554